True to its name, the Greater Roadrunner races along roads, streambeds, and well-worn paths, defending its large territory and chasing lizards, rodents, and insects. While on the move they startle and flush a meal by flashing the white spots on their open wings. Roadrunners can also jump straight up to snag insects, bats, and even hummingbirds in flight. Although agile on the ground, roadrunners don’t fly well. A threat may trigger a short, low burst of flight to seek a hiding place; otherwise, flying is limited to gliding from a nest or perch to the ground, or between perches. In the morning, roadrunners often “sunbathe” to warm up after a cold night in the desert: with its back to the sun, the bird raises the feathers across its back and wings to expose its heat-absorbent black skin. In winter, birds may sunbathe several times a day. Male roadrunners perch atop fence posts and rocks, calling out with a mournful coo-cooo-coooo to advertise territorial boundaries. When threatened or displaying to a rival, they erect their crest and reveal a bright orange patch of skin behind the eye.